SA wave warriors off to world masters

Taschica Pillay|Published 4 months ago

South Coast surfing legend Heather Clark is part of a team which will represent the country at the ISA World Masters Surfing Championship in El Salvador next week. Picture: Supplied

South African surfing legends are ready to demonstrate their mastery of the waves at an international masters surfing competition.

The South African Masters Surfing Team, comprising remarkable talents such as Heather Clark and Gary van Wieringen from the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast, Tasha Mentasti from Cape Town and Tyrell Johnson from East London, is poised to compete in the ISA World Masters Surfing Championship.

Gary van Wieringen, from Warner Beach, will make his third appearance at the world masters next week.

This highly anticipated championship marks a stellar return after an 11-year hiatus, reuniting master surfers from around the globe.

The team will leave SA on Tuesday.

The seventh edition of the event will be hosted by Surf City in El Salvador from October 18 to 24, at the iconic point-break of El Sunzal.

The SA contenders will compete against some of the world’s master champions, such as Tom Curren from the US and Aussies Layne Beachley and Rob Page.

Clark, 53, who has won two gold and two silver medals at previous world masters competitions, said she was looking forward to surfing in another world masters.

“It’s been 11 years since this competition last took place. I nearly fell off my chair when I heard the news that there was talk of this event returning. Two months ago I got the call announcing the team that would be going. I was ecstatic to hear I was part of the team.

“This world tour is a reunion of surfing friends from around the world, many I have not seen in a while. I have been working hard at keeping fit with cross fit and surf training. Each time SA has been represented, the team has had podium finishes,” said Clark.

With her sights set on good surfing conditions, Clark hopes for “some great right-hand waves”, calling upon Neptune to bless them with optimal ocean swells.

She said thanks to the community’s contributions through raffles, auctions and donations, she had been able to raise the R80 000 they each required to participate in the competition.

Clark started surfing at the age of 16 with friends and family. She runs a surf school in St Michael’s on Sea beach on the South Coast.

“I have the ocean as my office and playground,” she said.

In 2000, Clark became the first and only South African to win the prestigious Vans Triple Crown of Surfing in Hawaii.

She spent 14 years on the Association of Surfing Professionals World Tour, eight of which were on the World Championship Tour, which consists of the top 16 women in the world.

Van Wieringen, 51, from Warner Beach, will make his third appearance at the world masters.

“I have definitely been working hard to get there and plan to finish with gold. Some of the best in the world will be surfing at this event. I am looking forward to some good surf conditions and sea swells.

“I’m feeling excited about this event. It is always an honour and privilege to represent South Africa. I will be putting into practise what I have learnt over the years and the exposure I gained,” said Van Wieringen, who runs a factory that manufactures surf boards.

ISA President Fernando Aguerre said: “I am extremely happy for the return of the World Masters Surfing Championship, and what an ideal location in Surf City, El Salvador.”